3 Graphs To Show This Isn’t a Housing Bubble

3 Graphs To Show This Isn’t a Housing Bubble

With all the headlines and buzz in the media, some consumers believe the market is in a housing bubble. As the housing market shifts, you may be wondering what’ll happen next. It’s only natural for concerns to creep in that it could be a repeat of what took place in 2008. The good news is, there’s concrete data to show why this is nothing like the last time.

There’s a Shortage of Homes on the Market Today, Not a Surplus

The supply of inventory needed to sustain a normal real estate market is approximately six months. Anything more than that is an overabundance and will causes prices to depreciate. Anything less than that is a shortage and will lead to continued price appreciation.

For historical context, there were too many homes for sale during the housing crisis (many of which were short sales and foreclosures), and that caused prices to tumble. Today, supply is growing, but there’s still a shortage of inventory available.

The graph below uses data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to show how this time compares to the crash. Today, unsold inventory sits at just a 3.0-months’ supply at the current sales pace.

Annual average of months' supply for 1999-2021

One of the reasons inventory is still low is because of sustained underbuilding. When you couple that with ongoing buyer demand as millennials age into their peak homebuying years, it continues to put upward pressure on home prices. That limited supply compared to buyer demand is why experts forecast home prices won’t fall this time.

Mortgage Standards Were Much More Relaxed During the Crash

During the lead-up to the housing crisis, it was much easier to get a home loan than it is today. The graph below showcases data on the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). The higher the number, the easier it is to get a mortgage.

Historic Data for the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI)

Running up to 2006, banks were creating artificial demand by lowering lending standards and making it easy for just about anyone to qualify for a home loan or refinance their current home. Back then, lending institutions took on much greater risk in both the person and the mortgage products offered. That led to mass defaults, foreclosures, and falling prices.

Today, things are different, and purchasers face much higher standards from mortgage companies. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First Americansays:

Credit standards tightened in recent months due to increasing economic uncertainty and monetary policy tightening.” 

Stricter standards, like there are today, help prevent a risk of a rash of foreclosures like there was last time.

The Foreclosure Volume Is Nothing Like It Was During the Crash

The most obvious difference is the number of homeowners that were facing foreclosure after the housing bubble burst. Foreclosure activity has been on the way down since the crash because buyers today are more qualified and less likely to default on their loans. The graph below uses data from ATTOM Data Solutions to help tell the story:

Foreclosure Activity Then and Now - U.S. Properties with Forclosure Filings - ATTOM 2021 Year-End Report

In addition, homeowners today are equity rich, not tapped out. In the run-up to the housing bubble, some homeowners were using their homes as personal ATMs. Many immediately withdrew their equity once it built up. When home values began to fall, some homeowners found themselves in a negative equity situation where the amount they owed on their mortgage was greater than the value of their home. Some of those households decided to walk away from their homes, and that led to a wave of distressed property listings (foreclosures and short sales), which sold at considerable discounts that lowered the value of other homes in the area.

Today, prices have risen nicely over the last few years, and that’s given homeowners an equity boost. According to Black Knight:

In total, mortgage holders gained $2.8 trillion in tappable equity over the past 12 months – a 34% increase that equates to more than $207,000 in equity available per borrower. . . .”

With the average home equity now standing at $207,000, homeowners are in a completely different position this time.

Bottom Line

If you’re worried we’re making the same mistakes that led to the housing crash, the graphs above should help alleviate your concerns. Concrete data and expert insights clearly show why this is nothing like the last time.

About the Author
Stephanie Miller, Living Local Nashville Realtor

Stephanie Miller is a Nashville native with an extensive background in the local real estate industry and is excited to use that experience to help you achieve your homeownership and investment goals! 

With family deeply rooted in the Nashville area since the early 1800’s and entrepreneurship ingrained in her by generations of small business owners, home builders, restauranteurs, and pioneers in their industries, it should come as no surprise that she truly loves her hometown and the opportunity to serve the residents of Middle Tennessee while continuing a tradition of entrepreneurship through a family business. 

She has over two decades of experience working for some of Nashville's top real estate teams, effectively marketing thousands of homes in every price point and creating systems to streamline the real estate process. She has gained invaluable knowledge and insight along the way and her favorite opportunity thus far is working alongside her dad, Ron Rice, combining their experience to serve all of their family, friends, and clients together. 

Stephanie lives in Wilson County with her husband Jason, two sons who are both very active in Scouts, and two rescue dogs. 

Service
2012 - 2013    McFarlin Pointe HOA Board Officer
2013 - 2017    Rutherford County Schools Outreach Volunteer
2015 - 2016    Nolensville Cub Scout Pack 297 Committee Member
2017 - 2021    Lebanon Cub Scout Pack 643 Committee Member
2022 - present    Scouts BSA Troop 2535 Committee Chair

Memberships & Certifications
National Association of REALTORS®
Tennessee REALTORS®
Greater Nashville REALTORS®
At Home with Diversity®